Murdered Jo’s sister: Sex claim Brendan trying to do right thing
Family of MP pledge to back embattled widower
MURDERED MP Jo Cox’s family have vowed to support her widower Brendan after sexual assault claims from his past resurfaced.
Jo’s sister Kim Leadbeater said Cox “did the right thing” in admitting “inappropriate” behaviour while he worked at Save the Children in 2015.
He has denied preying on two women while he was married to the late Labour MP, but said: “I made mistakes and behaved in a way that caused some women hurt and offence.”
He left posts at More in Common and the Jo Cox Foundation – set up in memory of his wife – after a newspaper published accusations.
He insists claims that he forced himself on a woman during a trip to Harvard University in the US are a “massive exaggeration”.
Kim, whose sister was fatally stabbed and shot by a far-right terrorist in 2016, said: “This is another very difficult day for our family.
“The last 20 months have been a constant roller-coaster of emotions which we are still dealing with on a daily basis.
“My priority is and always will be looking after Jo and Brendan’s children and supporting my parents, who have already been through so much.
“As a family we will support Brendan as he endeavours to do the right thing by admitting mistakes he may have made in the past, and we respect him for doing so.
“We all make mistakes. Brendan is a wonderful father and I have no doubt about the happiness he brought to Jo.
“My other focus is to continue the work I have begun through the More in Common movement at a local and national level and to support the Jo Cox Foundation in continuing its valuable work.
“I have a fantastic team of people who have supported me so far and I know they will continue to do so as we focus on creating a positive legacy for Jo. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support.”
Jo married Cox in 2009 and they had two children together.
The Mail on Sunday claimed Cox drunkenly harassed a female employee at Save the Children in London – allegedly holding her by the throat and making a lurid comment. He left the charity shortly afterwards.
Cox said: “I want to apologise deeply and unreservedly for my past behaviour and for the hurt and offence that I have caused.
“While I do not accept the allegations contained in the 2015 complaint to the police in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I do acknowledge and understand that during my time at Save the Children I made mistakes and behaved in a way that caused some women hurt and offence.
“This was never malicious but it was certainly inappropriate.”
Labour MP Jess Phillips, a friend of Jo, said her widower was right to stand back from the charities.
She told ITV’s Peston on Sunday: “We live in an era where men are going to have to address (their) behaviour both previously and in the future,
“I love Brendan, he’s my friend. His family are friends with my family.
“But it’s not enough just to say, ‘Oh I’m sorry.’
“You have to show how you’re going to change and I think Brendan, more than many I’ve seen, is actually trying to do that.”
The last 20 months have been an emotional roller-coaster